Reinforced-concrete fence-post.



w. R. kmxwoon REINFORCED CONCRETE FENCE POST. APPLICATION FILED AUG- 4, 1914.

1,186,662. Patented June 13, I916.

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WILLIAM R. KIRKWOOD, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

REINFORCED-CONCRETE FENCE-POST.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM R. KIRK- woon, a citizen of the United States, residing at Seattle, in the county of King and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Reinforced-Concrete Fence-Posts, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in reinforced concrete fence posts, one of the objects of the invention being to provide a post of this character which embodies novel features of construction whereby the fence wires can be quickly applied thereto or removed therefrom without the use of tools, but are held in such a manner that they can not be accidentally displaced and will not come in direct contact with concrete portions of the p A further object of the invention is to provide a reinforced concrete fence post which is strong and durable in its construction, which can be used and handled in substantially the same manner as a wooden post but is not subject to the same decay and deterioration when in use, and which can be manufactured without the use of any special molds or machinery.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel combinations and arrangements of the parts as will more fully appear as the description proceeds, the novel features thereof being pointed out in the appended claim.

For a full understanding of the invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a rein.- forced concrete fence post constructed in accordance with the invention, the base thereof being broken away. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4c is an enlarged detail perspective view of one of the reinforcing shells.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

Specifically describing the construction of the completed post, the numeral 1 desig- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 13, 1916.

1914. Serial No. 854,908.

nates the bodyportion thereof which may end or base of the post maybe embedded in the ground in the usual manner, while the upper end thereof is designed to serve substantially as a wooden fence post to support the fence wires or other form of fencing. Extending transversely through the post and opening upon opposite sides thereof are a number of horizontally disposed wire receiving pockets 2. These wire receiving pockets 2 are verticallyelongated, being shown in the present instance as substantially rectangular in cross section, and are located adjacent the front of the post. Each of the horizontal wire receiving pockets 2 communicates with a diagonal slot 3 which leads to the front of the post and provides a mouth through which the fence wire is moved when inserting it within the wire receiving pocket 2 or removing it therefrom. Theupper end of each of the diagonal slots 3 terminates at a point below the top of the wire receiving pocket 2, while the lower end of the diagonal slot terminates at a point above the bottom of the wire receiving pocket 2, so that there is no danger of the fence wire 4 being brought accidentally into engagement with the diagonal slot as long as it is under tension and held in a position parallel to the axis of the pocket 2.

The body of the post may be suitably reinforced by a longitudinal rod 5, while each of the wire receiving pockets 2 and the corresponding diagonal slot 3 are reinforced by a metal shell or lining R, shown in detail by Fig. 4. This reinforcing lining includes a substantially tubular portion 6 which corresponds in size, shape and length to the wire receiving pocket 2 and fits within the same, one side of the said tubular portion being formed with a diagonal slot which corresponds to and registers with the diagonal slot 3 of the post, the'edges of the slot of the tubular portion 6 carrying outstanding flanges 7 which fit against the sides of the diagonal slot 3 of the post and eX- tend outwardly to the front of the post. This reinforcing shell or lining R can be cheaply formed from a single piece of sheet material and serves not only as a reinforcement for the overhanging portions 3* provided in the post by the diagonal slot 3, but

thewalls of the diagonal slot 3 and wirev receiving pocket 2. By deflecting the wire 4 into alinement with the diagonal slot '3 the wire can be moved bodily through the said slot for the purpose of placing it within the wire receiving pocket 2 or removing it therefrom. As soon as the Wire is released, the tension therein will draw it parallel to the axis of the wire receiving pocket 2 so that it is retained securely withinth'e pocket and there is no danger of the wire being accidentally disengaged therefrom. The sheet metal lining for the pocket 2 and diagonal slot 3 prevent the wire from rubbing against the concrete and wearing portions thereof away so as to tend to injure the post. Furthermore, the entire reinforcement R is in a single piece and can be conveniently handled, both individually and in quantities. The shell R serves not only to strengthen and reinforce the overhanging portions 3 of the post, but also to' protect the sides of the wire receiving pocket 2 and slots 3 against wear and chafing by the fence wire 4:.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A fence post formed of plastic material and provided with a horizontally disposed 0st and oaenin u on o 3 osite sides thereof, the front of the post being provided with a diagonal slot which communicates with the wire receiving pocket and is arranged at an angle to the axis thereof, so that a fence wire can be inserted into the pocket or removed therefrom by first deflecting it into alinementwith the diagonal slot, and a sheet metal reinforcing shell including a substantially tubular member which extends completely through the wire receiving pocket and fits snugly against the walls thereof so as to provide a metallic lining, said tubular member being formed with a diagonal slot which registers with the diagonal slot of the fence post and is provided at its edges with outstanding flanges forming a metallic lining for the walls of the diagonal slot of the post.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in'presence of two witnesses.

VVILLIAMi R. KIRKW OOD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of l'atentl,

' Washington, D. G. 

